What We're Up To

50 Years and Beyond Update for May 2024

Museum of East Dorset Visit

Last month we visited The Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne (https://museumofeastdorset.co.uk/) as part of our fact-finding for the Stories and Spaces project.

Chezzie the museum director and her trustee colleagues Sara and Vanessa were super helpful, giving us a full tour of the site and sharing lots of insights about their experiences over the last few years.

The museum in Wimborne reopened in 2020 following a major redevelopment project, so we could see what they have done and how the process was for them.

The Museum of East Dorset also has a big garden, with cafe, education centre and collections store and lots of lovely outside seating and flower borders. It was great to see these areas (and try the cafe!) as we think about ideas for the paddock, barn and patio at Chard.

We are really grateful to Chezzie and her team for sharing their time and insights so generously.

50 Years and Beyond April 2024

Thank you for sharing

A really important part of our project is to talk to lots of people about our ideas for the museum and, more importantly, their ideas for the museum. Together we are starting to shape ideas for what a Chard Museum of the future might look like and do.

Over the last few months these ‘community conversations’ have been organised and led by Helen Horler. Her task has been to talk to lots of people, especially those who haven't really used the museum before, to get their help shaping the future Stories we might tell and how the Spaces of the museum could best meet their needs.

We have now spoken to over 230 people from all sorts of different backgrounds and areas.  Their input and suggestions will be essential in making sure any changes to the museum are the right ones and that we can ensure the museum remains relevant, valued and used by the people of Chard and District.

A massive thank you to all those who gave their time and thoughts, including:

• Active Learning and Skills

• Avishayes Primary School staff and pupils

• Chard Community Hub

• Chard Foodbank

• Chard Freemasons

• Chard Watch

• Community Council for Somerset

• Holyrood Academy staff and pupils

• Ilminster Young Farmers

• Local artists

• Local politicians and councillors

• Museum trustees and volunteers

• Museum visitors

• Shoppers, visitors and residents who completed our High St survey

• Town and Parish clerks

We will be digesting and analysing all of the feedback and suggestions over the next couple of months and using it to plan the next stage of the museum redevelopment.